NRL preview: Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

The biggest obstacle confronting South Sydney in tonight’s clash with Parramatta may be psychological rather than physical. For the past two weeks, the Rabbitohs have extended their winning streak without their four State of Origin stars. A fortnight ago, they proved too classy for Cronulla at ANZ Stadium and last Friday night they scraped home by two points against the Titans. But with Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai, Angus Crichton and Damien Cook back tonight, the Rabbitohs could be lulled into a false sense of security. They will take the field with a near full strength side against an opponent running last in the competition.

Eels aimed up

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The Eels showed last Saturday night in Darwin that they won’t be any sort of pushover. They were urgent and aggressive against the Cowboys and took their chances to win 20-14. Most were expecting that Jarryd Hayne would make a low-key return after missing six weeks with a hip complaint but the highest-profile Eel stood tall, bagging two tries and involving himself in the action at every opportunity. Another returning Eel, lock Nathan Brown, pushed out 80 minutes in the tropical heat and wound up for 22 runs that yielded 221 metres.

Recent history

Parramatta have form on the board against the Rabbitohs, winning the past three encounters, including both meetings in 2017. Admittedly, departed winger Semi Radradra was a strong contributor with one try in Round 12 and a hat-trick in Round 26, but memories of those wins will be fresh and will add to the Eels’ confidence.

Parramatta centre Michael Jennings will celebrate his 250th appearance in the NRL in rare circumstances tonight with younger brothers George (Parramatta) and Robert (Souths) to share the occasion with him. Michael becomes only the 117th player to reach the 250-games milestone after debuting with the Panthers in 2007. The Jennings boys will have further cause for celebration next week if they are all chosen in Tonga’s team to meet Samoa in the Pacific Test match at Campbelltown.

Positives in short supply

Not much has gone right for the Eels in 2018, a season in which they were freely tipped to qualify for the top four. They sit last on the competition ladder, rank last in attack and last for goalkicking: they are the only club with a kicking percentage under 70 per cent. Perhaps surprisingly, there is one area where an Eels player tops the rankings. Halfback Corey Norman is first in the NRL for forcing goal-line drop-outs, with 18. Despite being switched from five-eighth to fullback to halfback this season the versatile Queenslander has managed to consistently place precision kicks to the in-goal to earn his team back-to-back attacking opportunities.

Where they stand

The Eels are hanging on to a remote mathematical chance of resurrecting their season but must win nine of their remaining 10 games to dig themselves out of trouble. A loss tonight would strip them of any remaining wiggle room.

Rabbitohs’ rare air

A win to the Rabbitohs will lift the foundation club to a 24-year high. Not since 1994, when Ken Shine was at the helm as coach, have Souths won seven games on the trot. Ironically, the Rabbitohs missed the play-offs that year after crashing to eight losses from their final nine games.

Attacking from the left

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While the Eels sit last in the attacking rankings, the Rabbitohs enter the game with the best attacking credentials in the competition. Souths have scored more tries and more points than any other team and their left-side attack ranks first in the premiership. Five-eighth Cody Walker, veteran second-rower John Sutton, centre Greg Inglis and fullback Alex Johnston all prefer to attack this corridor and if their combination gels the Eels could be in for a long night.

The verdict

Although Parramatta could make for a difficult 80 minutes for the Rabbitohs should they reprise the energy and intensity that they displayed in Darwin last week, Souths should have the ability to fight their way out of any trouble. Coach Anthony Seibold has masterminded a dramatic form reversal at Redfern in 2018 and has the team vying with Penrith for premiership favouritism. The Rabbitohs’ only losses have been to high-ranking opposition and although complacency may be difficult to avoid altogether, Souths should prevail. Rabbitohs by 8.